His patient presented with a vertebral compression fracture brought on by osteoporosis, a painful prognosis that negatively affects ones quality of life. Dr. Brennan utilized a new technology from Osseon Therapeutics, Inc.; a California based medical device company, to perform this groundbreaking procedure. This minimally invasive procedure is performed with a steerable balloon inserted into the spine through just one small entry point and then inflated to create a cavity. Bone cement is then added to the cavity to create an internal cast and relieve the patient's pain.

Osseon's spokesperson, Chad White, VP of Sales, stated these procedures are traditionally performed using two entry points into the spine. Osseon's steerable technology requires only one entry point thus minimizing the number of entry points the patient must endure. Osseon has brought the first steerable balloon to market, which allows the physician to steer and place the balloon precisely where it is needed.

By requiring only one incision, Osseon's products not only reduce the entry site pain by half but also reduce the potential for dangerous neurologic complications. Dr. Brennan stated "The patient did well with the procedure. She had increased mobility and significantly decreased fracture related pain immediately after the procedure, with continued pain reduction 3 weeks after the procedure". She stated, she is "significantly improved."

"The advantage of a steerable balloon, from my perspective, is that it allows for more reliable distribution of the cement across the vertebral body, while only requiring a single pedicle access. This reduces procedure/sedation time, particularly important in this patient population and their associated co-morbidities."

Lima Memorial Health System has been a long-term partner of Radisphere, who provides a standards-based approach to radiology as the exclusive radiology services provider for the hospital. Radisphere measures the performance of its radiologists and services to ensure a consistently high quality standard of service and excellence in patient care.